DETROIT - Kurt Suzuki’s two-run single in the seventh inning broke a scoreless deadlock and the Minnesota Twins ended Justin Verlander’s dominance against them with a 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night at Comerica Park.
Verlander won his last nine decisions against the Twins, dating to July 9, 2010. He had a 2.06 ERA and 96 strikeouts during the 12-start stretch.
Right-hander Phil Hughes (4-1) outdueled Verlander, scattering eight hits in seven shutout innings for his second win over the Tigers this season. He held Detroit to one earned run in seven innings on April 26.
Suzuki, the Twins’ catcher, had two hits as Minnesota snapped a three-game losing streak. Right fielder Chris Parmelee and second baseman Brian Dozier had two hits apiece for the Twins.
Reliever Glen Perkins picked up his ninth save despite giving up catcher Alex Avila’s RBI double in the ninth. Perkins struck out left fielder Rajai Davis to end the threat.
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Minnesota first baseman Joe Mauer did not play for the fifth consecutive game because of back spasms.
Verlander (4-2) allowed seven hits in seven innings and struck out five, but the Tigers lost their second straight after an eight-game winning streak.
Center fielder Austin Jackson had three hits and scored the Tigers’ lone run. Designated hitter Victor Martinez went 0 for 4, snapping his 11-game hitting streak.
Parmelee and shortstop Danny Santana singled and Dozier walked to load the bases before Suzuki’s two-out single up the middle.
Detroit third baseman Nick Castellanos saved a run in the third with a leaping catch, robbing Minnesota’s Trevor Plouffe with runners on the corners and one out.
The Tigers had three fourth-inning singles. but a double play after the first one prevented them for scoring. First baseman Miguel Cabrera flied out with two runners on to end the fifth.
Notes: The start was delayed 27 minutes by rain. ... Minnesota activated CF Aaron Hicks from the 7-day disabled list and selected the contract of RF Chris Parmelee from Triple-A Rochester on Friday. Both were in the starting lineup. The Twins optioned INF Pedro Florimon and C/OF Chris Herrmann to Rochester on Thursday. ... Before the roster moves, Minnesota gave INF Eduardo Escobar two starts in the outfield at Cleveland this week because of injuries. “I actually have three outfielders in the outfield (Friday), which is a good thing,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. ... LF Rajai Davis’ 12 steals entering the game were the most by a Tiger through 30 games since Brian Hunter had 13 in 1997. ... Detroit RHP Max Scherzer carries a streak of 14 scoreless innings into his start on Saturday against RHP Kyle Gibson. ... Twins 3B Trevor Plouffe has a major league high 14 doubles.
